This
magnificent bird haven in actual came into being paradoxically
as a duck shooting preserve for Maharaja Suraj Mull of
Bharatpur. He transformed the shallow depression formed by
the confluence of River Gambhir and River Banganga
into a reservoir by damming the rainwater in monsoons. Flooding
of water created shallow wetland ecosystem causing it to be a
perfect habitat for an astounding variety of birds. The park
that was a hunting preserve for the Maharaja and the British
continued to be so till 1964, after which the hunting was
banned.

A forestation policy of planting acacias was vigorously
followed. However the ecosystem at the Park continues to be
fragile due to pressures of tourism and need for water from
surrounding villages. However the environmentalists won the day
in 1985 when UNESCO listed it as World Heritage site and earlier
in 1982 it was declared as National Park. And, today the Park is
recognised as the most important breeding and feed grounds for
the birds in the world. Some species are still endangered and
especially the Siberian crane. Visitors are advised to maintain
low noise level and avoid littering the park.

The
Park opens from sunrise to sunset around the year. The ticket is
Rs 200 per foreign visitor and Rs 25 for Indian visitor.
Vehicles are permitted upto Shanti Kutir about 1.7
kilometres inside at Rs 50 per vehicle. After this you can
choose to walk, bicycle, or go by cycle rickshaw, Tonga or boat
when the water level is high. The cycle rickshaw wallah’s
displaying yellow plate meaning authorised double up as guides
also carry binoculars. Hotels do supply packed lunches and you
can get a bite at a canteen on the second gate and even at
Forest Lodge.